The Redentore is the celebration most loved by Venetians! It is a tradition that dates back to 1577, to remind the end of one of the most disastrous plagues in Venice history and is still commemorated today with “the famous night of fireworks” and an impressive 330-metre-long wooden bridge connecting the historical center to the Redentore Church on the Giudecca Island, purposely build for the occasion.

This year on Saturday July 14th 2018, the beautiful setting of St. Mark’s Basin hosts a truly fantastic firework display that lights up the city. Numerous small boats decked out with balloons, decorations and brightly colored lanterns, moor alongside each other in St. Mark’s Bay and the Giudecca Canal and all the participants enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional Venetian specialties while they wait for the spectacular fireworks that begin at 11.30 pm and last until well past midnight.

Want to join the festivities?
contact us for further information: info@khospitality.it

Villa Sandi is a beautiful example of a Venetian Villa, dating back to 1622, build in the style of the famous architect Andrea Palladio with the characteristic Roman and Greek influences, with rooms decorated with stuccoes and bass-relieves and dominated by Murano glass chandeliers.

When the Venetian Republic expanded, between the 14^th and 15^th century, to the Veneto Mainland, the Venetian aristocracy, until then mainly involved with merchant trading from which they received good incomes, became very interested in increasing their possessions of large pieces of land accompanied by large investments in agriculture, among which also vineyards producing the now world famous Prosecco.

The symbol of this wealth was the Venetian villa, sumptuously decorated and used by the family as holiday home during the summer months.

Today Villa Sandi is the headquarters of the winery producing a range of excellent wines with a worldwide distribution and representing an important landmark in the wine culture of Italy.

Enjoy a guided visit of Villa Sandi and the beautiful seventeenth century Villa in Palladian style. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the different methods of wine making and take you through the underground cellars and hidden passageways dating back to the Great War, followed by a wine tasting.

After the visit to the winery enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner at the Locanda Sandi, set in the green heart of Valdobbiadene.

For bookings and more information: contact us

Personalized Perfume Making – Florence

Tuscany has a long tradition of production of fragrances and essence oils, that prospered when Caterina de’ Medici brought her personal Florentine perfumer to the French court, back in the 16th century.

Still today the Art of Perfumery is well kept secret…. a secret for you to discover as you dive into scents and essential oils with an experience in which you wil be the creator of your own fragrance.

A 2 hour hands-on program to make your own fragrance and amenities in a historical Erboristeria which will be opened for you exclusively during your perfume session.

For bookings and more information: contact us

 

K Hospitality Sales & Marketing – Your Key to Italy!

Private Boat trip to Ischia:

Departing from the ports of Positano or Sorrento, you will board your private boat with experienced skipper for a full day out touring the island of Ischia by boat .

Sailing along the Coast towards the Punta Campanella, marine reserve, you will see the island of Capri in the distance and, just before arriving at Ischia, the third island of the Gulf of Naples, the picturesque and traditional island of Procida.

Arriving at Ischia and going towards the left, a first stop at the bay of Sant’Angelo, an ancient fisherman and sailors’ village, and possibility to swim in the Sorgeto Bay with natural pools of hot thermal water. After passing the wonderful Punta Imperatore with its lighthouse, the journey continues towards the bay of  Citara, an old legend has it that the rocks, which can be seen in this bay, were in origin sailors transformed into stones as a punishment for passing through. On Citara beach you will also find the famous Thermal Park of the Island : the Gardens of Poseidon.

A perfect place to stop for a swim is the San Montano beach, situated in an inlet, where according to the legend, one of the patrons of the island, Saint Restituta, arrived from Africa. Very particular are the fine sand, the shallow floors and the crystal water. After this the journey continues on the eastern part of the island, going past the towns of Lacco Ameno and Casamicciola terme to the port of Ischia which is special and charming for its natural form.

And last but definitely not least you will arrive at the magnificient Aragonese Castle, an impressive structure with a rich history linked with a 220 mt bridge to the main island of Ischia. Stop here at the Bay of Cartaromana and the rocks of Sant’Anna, a true paradise, where you can enjoy a wonderful lunch with local specialties at restaurant Giardino Eden.

After lunch there is another possibility to have a swim or enjoy some sightseeing and at 5 p.m. departure back to Positano or Sorrento.

Your private boat is a Tornado Flash 38, or similar maximum capacity 9 persons (including captain). The boat features a cabin, padded seating and sundeck areas, fresh water shower, private toilet, mineral water and Audio Sound System.

For bookings and more information: contact us

K Hospitality Sales & Marketing – Your Key to Italy!

From 18 February till 4 June 2017 an extraordinary exhibition is hosted at the Doge’s apartments at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice.

 

Wild visions, convulsive scenes, hallucinatory landscapes with cities burning in the background, monsters and dreamlike creatures of the strangest shapes: this is the world of Jheronimus Bosch, the fascinating and enigmatic painter who lived between circa 1450 and 1516 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands.

The exhibition, co-produced by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia and the Museo Nazionale Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia, will focus on the three great Bosch paintings conserved in the Gallerie dell’Accademia – two triptychs and four panels – restored to their former glory thanks to a major campaign of restoration financed by the Bosch Research and Conservation Project (BRCP) and the Getty Foundation of Los Angeles, together with almost 50 other contextual works from important public and private international collections, including paintings by such artists as Palma Il Giovane, Quentin Massys, Jan Van Scorel and Joseph Heintz.

Entrance to the exhibition can be purchased separately or as part of the Doge’s Palace Entrance with a little surcharge.

need more information?  contact me

 

The Casa dei Tre Oci (translated “the house of the 3 eyes”) is a splendid example of early 20th-century Venetian architecture. Designed by the artist Mario De Maria (Marius Pictor) and built in 1913 on Giudecca island, offering incomparable views of St Mark’s basin, the square and the Doge’s Palace.

The building is one of the main examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Venice and as such has been declared a monument of historical and artistic interest in 2007 by the Veneto Regional Direction for Cultural and Landscape Assets.  After careful restoration the Casa dei Tre Oci became a public exhibition venue in 2012 and has since hosted a number of important photography exhibitions with world famous names like Sebastiao Salgado, Helmut Newton and currently on display until January 8^th 2017: Rene Burri and Ferdinando Scianna.

Utopia by René Burri (Zurich 1933-2014) collects together for the first time over 100 images devoted to architecture by this great Swiss artist, with shots of famous buildings and portraits of architects. Burri’s photography aims to recount the great transformational processes and the historical, political, and cultural changes of the twentieth century and certain people who were part of it (especially his portraits of Che Guevara and Pablo Picasso are unforgettable).

The top floor of the Casa dei Tre Oci is devoted to the work of one of the most important Italian photographers, Ferdinando Scianna (Bagheria, 4 July 1943). In occasion of the 500 years since the foundation of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice (on 29 March 1516), Scianna, commissioned by the Fondazione di Venezia, has undertaken a typical Street Photography reportage by collecting together images of the everyday life of the Ghetto in current days.

Definitely worth a visit so see a different Venice!

The Casa dei Tre Oci is also available for events.

For bookings and more information: contact us

1) Plan your dress to go with your sight-seeing!

When visiting a church or a cathedral, make sure you wear appropriate attire. Knees and shoulders covered, for both men and women!  Many places have signs posted asking visitors not to enter wearing shorts or sleeveless tops and in some places you will not be allowed to enter; so plan your dress to go with your sight-seeing or have a little vest in your bag.

Also do pack comfortable shoes. The majority of city centers are best enjoyed walking around but the uneven historical cobblestone streets can make it difficult. Leave those fashionable heels for a nice evening out!

2) Don’t rely on credit cards only

Even if it is getting more and more accepted, in Italy there are still many places that do not take credit cards. Therefore don’t forget to always have some cash or stop at an ATM.

Many small family-run restaurants and shops, bed and breakfasts and outdoor markets require cash payments or only accept credit card if the total is over a certain amount. American Express is not always accepted or there could be a surcharge that is added to the bill.

Traveler’s checks are rarely used for getting cash in Italy and if you do find a place to change them, you are likely to pay a big fee.

3) Get day-passes if you plan to use public transport

If you plan on using public transport to move around the bigger cities, look into buying a 1 (or multiple) day pass, it will enable you to get on and off public transport when and where you wish. Tickets can be bought at the larger stations or at most of the tobacco/newspaper shops but not on board.

And if you take a regional train, don’t forget to validate your ticket before you get on.

If you want to take a taxi, remember you cannot hail one on the street, you will have to call or go to the taxi stand.

4) Buy your tickets for top sights and museums in advance

During high season the most important sights get really busy and it would be a pity to waste your time standing in line for an hour or two or miss out completely.

Buy your tickets in advance for some of Italy’s top attractions like: The Last Supper in Milan, the Doges Palace and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Vatican Museum and Coliseum in Rome, Uffizi and Accademia Galaries in Florence.

But do not overplan, leave enough time to wonder around and enjoy breathing in the local atmosphere, some of the best and most unexpected places can be seen while getting lost.

5) Don’t order latte!

Latte in Italian means milk! If you order a “latte” it is very likely that you will end up with a glass of milk.

There are numerous varieties on how Italians drink their coffee but you are probably best off ordering a “Cappuccino”, if you want coffee with milk, an “Espresso” if you want the real Italian coffee or a “Caffè Americano” if you prefer the less strong version.

Keep in mind that in many places there is a surcharge if you sit at a table so if you just want a quick coffee, do as the Italians do and stand at the counter.

6) Food:  when in Rome do as the Romans do….try to eat local!

Italy is famous for their great and varied food culture and food is definitely an extremely important part of Italian life!

While in some occasions a quick panino or tramezzino is a great option, the Italians do like to sit down to thoroughly enjoy a proper lunch and dinner.

Every region has its own specialties and for the best culinary experience really try to stick to local food: Pizza is widely available all over Italy but actually originates from Naples so the best pizza ever you will definitely eat there!

In Milan you will find the best risotto alla Milanese (with saffron), Genoa is for pesto, Bologna for tortellini, ravioli and bolognese sauce. The best spaghetti alla carbonara and all’amatriciana are served in Rome. When in Florence you cannot miss the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak). Fantastic fish all around the coast line and polenta, mushrooms and a large variety of salami and other cold cuts in the mountains and countryside.

Local dishes are of course always accompanied by local wines. Remember that in Italy you won’t get refills of sodas or soft drinks and a lot of times you might have to ask for ice.

Lunch is served between 12.30 and 2.30 pm and Dinner between 7.30 and 9.30 pm, most restaurants don’t open before that time and some do close the kitchen at 9.30 pm. Best to make a reservation in advance.

“Fettucine Alfredo” and “Spaghetti with meatballs” don’t exist in Italy. You will also never find pasta with chicken. Pasta is considered a first course, fish or meat a second course and vegetables and potatoes are a side dish, often to be ordered separately.

When eating with Italians, the menu will most likely have multiple courses: starting off with a series of appetizers followed by a pasta dish (or two), then the main course and finally a desert… leave some space for the next dish, you certainly won’t leave the table hungry.

7) Tipping

Tip if you are happy with the service!

Tips are always welcomed but remember wait staff, bartenders, taxi drivers do get paid for doing their jobs and the American custom of tipping between 10% and 20% it is not expected.

Round up the bill or leave some additional change, if you have received a good service it is nice to leave a sign of appreciation.

8) When you decide to Drive in Italy

To drive in Italy, you must be over 18 and in possession of a valid driver’s license. If you are from one of the EU member states your license is valid for driving in Italy. Are you from outside of the EU it is best to check with the rental company whether or not you require an International Drivers Permit, in some cases your national drivers license together with your passport is sufficient.

Just as a reminder: Keep right and overtake on the left. Headlights must be used on the motorway also during daytime.

Pay attention for the limited traffic zones, the ZTL (zona a traffico limitato), it is off limits for everybody without a permit. The historical centers are usually a limited traffic area and they are clearly marked. Cameras are posted at the entrance to a ZTL, taking photos of license plates as cars enter and you will receive a fine if you enter without permission. You can receive these tickets in the mail even six months or a year later, often through your rental car company. Do ask your hotel for information if it is located in a limited traffic zone.

While having a GPS for driving is certainly very useful, however, like everywhere, it is not a good idea to rely only on the GPS. Also it is common in Italy that several towns have the same name, just they can be in different regions and very far from where you want to be. So do keep a map handy.

 

Looking for some more travel advice to Italy? contact me info@khospitality.it

It was April 23^rd 1616, this year 400 years ago, when William Shakespeare took his last breath in Stratford-upon-Avon, at the age of 52 and after a great career as poet, playwright and actor.

Quite a few of his world famous theatrical works of art are set in the Veneto Region; Romeo & Juliette, Othello, The Merchant of Venice but also The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Taming of the Shrew.

With the project 400 years Shakespeare in Veneto, initiative of Ornella Naccari, PR Marketing – Communication and Cultural Association Casa Shakespeare Verona, a unique series of theatrical performances will take place between March and December 2016 at truly spectacular sites: From a castle on the banks of Lake Garda, to mystic courtyards in Verona and Venice, historical villas in the Veneto countryside and illustrious noble palaces in Venice.

A limited number of spectators (30/50 persons per event) is offered the unique possibility to live and almost be part of the performance as the public moves from one room to the next to view the various scenes in different settings of the historical locations.

The performances, all in English, will take place on set dates from 8.30 till 10 pm and the public is offered a Venetian food & wine tasting and a toast with the actors. Only exception is Othello at Cà Sagredo in Venice where guests are greeted with a welcome cocktail at the start of the performance at 6.30 pm.

As a special occasion and in connection with the 500 years anniversary of the Venice Ghetto, thanks to the 500 years Venice Ghetto Committee, from July 26^th till 31^st 2016 the New York City based performing arts company The Compagnia de’ Colombari will perform The Merchant of Venice in its original setting; The Venice Ghetto.

For more information, calendar of performances and special packages including hotel accommodation and entrance tickets : contact us